Machines controlled by statistical record cards



April 24, 1956 A. THOMAS ET Al. 2,742,966

MACHINES CONTROLLED BY STATISTICAL RECORD CARDS Filed May 1l, 1953 15 Sheets-Sheet l Inventors ARTHUR THOMAS 1 FRE'DER'ICK BS RHODES y Aitorney April 24, 1956 A. THOMAS ETAL 2,742,966

MACHINES CONTROLLED BY STATISTICAL RECORD CARDS 15 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May l1, 1953 AMOUNT 5K0 o o 02 22 202 2 2 220 305553555555 4 4'44044 4 40444 4 555555555555555 c. s es es sa c a c as ce Accoun 5 No.

lo ooo lrj" O NADF ACCOUNT H AY MMO O OoooooonOooooooooooooooo l 10| l l l l l l l l l l l l 22 202 20202 22 22 22 22 22 22 2 2 esessssassscssesssseeoe 1 7 7 1 7 1 11 11 7 111 1 1 1 1 11 7 71 a e a sa a a s s 5 a s a a a 5 5 aan a a a Hg. a.

Inventors l n l O l AMouNT ACCOUNT No. o 0.o o o o o o 20202 5LAQ55O5O5 s 55 550 4:4 4 4 4 44 4 4 44 4 4 4 4 4 :555550555555555 les; c ca c c e055 2e s I7 7 7 7 77 7 7 7 707 7 7 7 e nais s a e a n s a ONAME 0F AMOUNT l 1 l l l l l |0010| l ooooooooooooooooooo 4 4 4 4404 4 4 4 4 444 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 40 5 s 5 s s 5 505 5 5 5 55 5 55 55 s 55 5 5 e e 5e a 6206s s 5e as e sa c c s sa s6 a s s sa a a 5 a sas 8 a as s s s s 8 l a 2 J lo o 0| l l 0l l l 22 202 2 2 2 2 2 2 z 2 2 2 2 z 2 2 2 2 z 2 2 2 55 a s 5 a 5 s 5 ss s s .sa 5a 5 5 s 5s 5 5 ARTI/11R THQ/VIAS FREDERICK 5'. RHODES Attorney April 24, 1956 A. THOMAS ErAl. 2,742,966

MACHINES CONTROLLED BY STATISTICAL RECORD CARDS Filed May ll, 1953 15 Shee'ts-Sheet 3 Inventors` A R THUR Thron/x s F/EDE//Q K S RHODES A Horne y April 24, 1956 A. THOMAS ET AL 2,742,966

MACHINES CONTROLLED BY STATISTICAL RECORD CARDS Filed May ll, 1953 l5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Pfg. 7g.

Inventors April24,195e A.THOMAS ETAL A 2,742,966

MACHINES CONTROLLED BY STATISTICAL RECORD CARDS Filed May 1l, 1955 l5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Q lo q) n D Inventors ARrH UR THOMAS FKEER/CK 5, RHODES Wyk-o A ttorne v April 24, 1956 A. THOMAS ET AL MACHINES CONTROLLED BY STATISTICAL RECORD CARDS l5 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed May 11, 1953 Inventors ARTHUR THOMAS 'FKEDEH/CK 5. RHaDES A torney April 24, 1956 A. THOMAS ET AL MACHINES CONTROLLED BY STATISTICAL. RECORD CARDS 15 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed May l1, 1953 Inventor.:

ARTHUR, THQMAS /THEDEr/c/f 5. H'Hooss Attorney April 24, 1956 A. THOMAS ErAL 2,742,966

MACHINES CCNTRCLLEC BY STATISTICAL RECORD CARDS Filed may 11, 1955 15 Sheets-sheet 8 Inventors ARTHUR THMAS 'FEEDER/CK RHODEJ A Horne v April 24, 1956 A. THOMAS ET AL. 2,742,965

MACHINES CCNTROLLED BY sTATIsTCAL RECORD CARDS Filed May l1, 1953 l5 Sheets-Sheet 9 Inventors ARTHUR THoMAs FWEW/c/ s. RHODE Horn ey April 24, 1956 A. THOMAS ETAL MACHINES CONTROLLED BY STATISTICAL RECORD CARDS 15 Sheets-Sheet l0 Filed May ll, 1953 A torney April 24, 1956 A. THOMAS ETAL MACHINES CONTROLLED BY STATISTICAL RECORD CARDS 15 Sheets-Sheet ll Filed May l1, 1953 nventor THU/VAS ARTHUR FREDERICK BS. RHODES Homey April 24, 1956 A. THOMAS ETAL MACHINES CONTROLLED BY STATISTICAL RECORD CARDS l5 Sheets-Sheet l2 Filed May 1l, 1953 April 24, 1956 A. THOMAS x-:T AL 2,742,966

MACHINES CONTROLLED BY STATISTICAL RECORD CARDS Filed May ll, 1953 l l5 Sheets-Sheet 13 Pfg. /a /59 Inventors.` ARTHUR THOMAS FEDER/OKB 5. RHODES flornev April 24, 1956 A. THOMAS ETAL 2,742,966

MACHINES CONTROLLED BY STATISTICAL RECORD CARDS l5 Sheets-Sheet 14 Filed May ll, 1953 Pfg. 2/.

Inventors THOMA s ARTHUR /PEDE/ifC/x 5" RHODES Attorney April 24, 1956 A. THOMAS ET Al. 2,742,966

MACHINES coNTRoLLED BY STATISTICAL RECORD CARDS Filed May 11, 1953 15 Sheets-Sheet 15 Inventors ARTHUR THD/1A S FREDE/CKB S. RHODES MACHINES CONTROLLD BY STATISTICAL RECORD CARDS Arthur Thomas, Wallington, and Frederick Sidney` Rhodes, Thornton Heath, England,assignors to Powers-l Samas Accounting Machines Limited, London, England, a British company Application May 11, 1953, Serial'No."354,10t1I I t.

Claims priority, application Great Britain Angust'14, 1952` 1s claims. (ci. 164-114) This invention relates to machines controlled bystatistical record cards and in particular to a machine in which data recorded in a statistical record card is sensed during stepwise movement between the `card anda testing device, the data being transmitted, to a translator means by which it is translated into coded form and transmitted to a recording unit, for example a punch unit,

which is conditioned by the translator means` and by which the coded data is recorded on a tape fed continuously ystep by step, one step for each testing'cycle.

In machines of this kind as proposed heretofore, vit 1 has been proposed, whenever no data or other l.signal'is to be recorded on the tape, automatically to record thereon a space signal but inl these prior proposals such automatic space signals are initiated by a blank column on the statistical record card and this data-bearing capacity of the card.

It is one object of the present inventionV to provide a machine of the kind set out above in which space-signals are automatically recorded on a tape without the use of blank card columns whereby the data-bearing capacity for any given card is greater than that of a comparable card as used heretofore for the same purpose. v

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a machine of the kind set out above in which under the control of indications formed in a single predetermined y card 'column the operation of the means for automatically providing said space signals may bevaried so as automatically to provide on the tape a predetermined number of successive space signals whereby vwhen the tape is transcribed, for example by a telepi'inter thetranscribed data may be printed in a tabulated form as, for example, a bank balance statement showing debit, credit Aand balance amountsin appropriate tabulated columns.

According to the present invention'y a machine comprises the combination with set-uplmembers controlled by a record card and arranged in columns corresponding has (reduced the to the columns of the record card. tor ec'eive a set-up]Y representative of'data sensed frornthe card, a testing device arranged to test said set-up members rv column by column, translator means operable under control ofthe testing elements to receive from the-set-up members data sensed from a card and tot'ranslate it intofcoded form, Y recording means operableunder control of the translator y means to record the coded data on a tape, continuously operable tape-feeding vmeans to feed. the tape stepwise one step for each testing cyclel of the machine, and space signal means operable under ycontrol of theH translator,vv

mean-s to condition therecording means to record a space signal on the tape Whenever no data or other `signal is'to be recorded thereon resultant fromy a Vtesting cycleof the machine, of interrupter means to render the testing device ineffective for at least one testing cycle during which a` space signal is recorded on the tape, control means cooperating with said interrupter means and arranged on testing for data from predetermined columns of'set-up members to initiate operation of said interrupter means,

and trip means cooperating with the interruptcr meansV ICC - 2 to render the-interrupter It will be understood that data may be recorded on'the statistical record cards and on the tape by perforations formed therein or by suitable marks formed thereon in the preferred'embodiment of the invention herein described, by way of example, with reference to theY aci' companying diagrammatic drawings the data is recorded, cards and on the tape, byr.

both on the record perforations.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 illustrates a portion of a bank statement tran-iV s scribed from a perforated tape,

Figs. k2V and 3 illustratel portions of' perforated tape` from which the rst twolines'on the statement have beenY transcribed,

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 illustrate perforated record cardsfrom which a tape is punched to prov-ide the three lines of...

transcription'shown in Fig. 1,

Figs. 7A and'7B together illustrate a planzof the ma- I.

chine for perforating a tape in accordance with data sensed from statistical record cards,

, Fig. v8 is a pictorial view of the machine as the general direction of arrow VIII, Fig. 7A,

viewed in Fig. 9 vdiagrammatically illustrates part of Athe appa-Q.V ratus for translating data from aV two-holerto a live-hole through the tape punching mechanism, f

Fig. l2`is an end elevation of the'test'ng device foiithe set-up mechanism of the machine, y n,

Fig. 13 is a section through the testing device,`-

` Fig. 14 is an elevation, partly inl section, ofthey end of the testing device opposite that shown in Figi. 12, i

illustration of some of thev testing l Fig. 15 -is a pictorial device, v

Fig.V 16gi's aview looking in the direction of arrow/"XVI,"`

Fig. 7Aand1shows'somc 'of the driving mechanism,y

Fig. 17,isv a lview looking in thev directiony of'arrowA A XVII, Fig.7A, and shows some of the 'actuating mech? anism for' the testing device,` 7'

Fig. 18 is a" planfof the machine, I

Fig. 19 is an elevation looking in the direction of arrow X1X,Fig. 1s, l'

Fg.-20 is an elevation looking in the direction of arrow XX, Fig. 18, and

Fig; 21 is a detail showing someta the parts inns-, Y trated in Fig. 18 in'positions different fromrthos'efthfeyd occupy inFi'g. 18. y

Fig. '-1 illustrates a bank statement which has'been? printed ,from a transcription of al perforated tapeandv it' will be observed that, ,readingy from left to right` ofy 'thefigurc', each line of the statement consists Vof a date iE,

. a name N, an account number A, andan amount which,Vl

' is tabulated to be eitherin a debit-entry columnfDC,I

acredit` entry column CC, or a balance column BC.y In

Fig. L'the statement is presumed to bethat of the account of kJ. Doe vand'it is to be understood that Fig.v l shows only the foot ofthe statement andA that lthe iigures shown in the balance column BC represent, the newbalance.

The first line at the head ofthe statementl will, of course,V

also have an amount in the balance column, which amount will represent the old balance, and between the'old and new balance amounts there'may be any number of entries in the debit and credit entry columns respectively. With one eXceptionJhat of the letter C, or D if appropriate, following the entry in the balance column, 4all the vdata on the statement has been'obtained Vfromperforatioiis formed in statistical record cards, such as are shown in kPatented Apr. 24,

l means ineffective for at le-'astfE Y one testing cycle after initiation of operation thereof;

spacel unit employed intlie Figs. 4; 5 and 6, and all has been transcribed from a perforated tape T portions of which, representative of tlie"first` two llines Yo`fp'rirttii'ig shown` on Fig. l; `are yshown in Figs. 2 and 3. The means for perforating in the tapel the letter C, or D, following the balance amount forms no 'part of the present invention: and will not be described herein.'V

In. the drawings, the record cards are shown asbeing forty-column cards, that is they contain-Y forty verticalcolumns in which data can. be recorded and itwill. be seen. that on each card columns l to 4 are appropriated for a date'gday andrtmonth, columns 5 to 7.34 are for the name of 'the account, columns 24 to 29 are for the account number, column 30 is for a code number which may be required to follow the account number as indicatedat CN, Fig. l, column. 31 is a control column in which, as will beiexplaned below, are punched control holes some of which will` determine whether the amount is recorded in thetapefor transcriptionr instatement columns DC, CC, or'BC, and columns 32 to 40 have the amount punched therein.

Front Fig. 6 it will be seen that the sterling amount l39678 v19 3 is recorded in the card as 139678193 and the present invention embodies means, to be described below, whereby the appropriate space signalstfor spacing thefigures are automatically punched inthe tape. Similarly,.there is provide an. automatic space signal to ensure that the last figure of the datev is spaced from the rst, letterv of the name on the statement although such ligure: and letter are punched in adjoining card columns, that is in columns 4 and 5 of the card. Where, however, variable spaces are required, such as between the initials and the surname, these spaces are, as has heretofore been proposed, automatically determined by the provision of blank card columns as indicated at NP Figs'. 4, 5 and 6.

Figs. 7A and 7B together. are a plan of a machine embodying the present invention, the machine comprising a card sensing unit CS, a translator unit TU, and a tapepunchingunit TP all of which are driven by any suitable means such as an electric motor not shown'.

Record` cards are contained in a magazine` 20, Figs. 7A and 8, from which they are fed one at a time, in known manner, Vto a vertically reciprocable card chamber, not shown which by means forming no part of the present invention raises the card in the chamber into co-operation with aset-up mechanism of known construction com-A prising columns of set-up members 2-1, Fig. 8, each column, asis customary, comprising a set-up member for each data-indicating position in a vertical column of. arecord card. Thus as each vertical4 column of a card has twelve data-indicating positions, see Figs. 4, v

card is raised into co-operaton therewith thosepset-up,

members which are aligned with data-indicating perfora- 4 operatewith toothed ba'rsV 25 which through plates 26 rock rods 27, Figs. 9 and 10, and so effect selection of trow ofpnche's 28"by'ntei'polating vertical bars 29 be tween the ends of the punches and a punch-operating member 30.

The rocking bars 23 are' controlled by eccentrics 31 on a main shaft 32, Fig. 7B, which is conected by a 1:1 ratio gearing 33` with a.- main shaft 34 driven byv continuously rotating driving shaft 35` through gearing 36, 37, 38. The eccentrics 31 carry straps 39 connected to a bail ,40 rockable about the pivot` 41 for the rocking bars 23 and during each revolution of the shaft 34, which represents one testing cycle, the bail permits any rocking bar 23 which, due to the operation of the code bars 22 by impulses received from the testing device, is disposed above alignedslots in the code bars to descend into the slots so that the member 24 carried by the rocking bar is disposed beneath a toothed bar 25 as illustrated in Fig. 9. When the bail is next raised the member 24 moves lengthwise the toothed bar 25 with which it cooperates so-that the appropriate bar or bars 29 is or are thereby caused to be inteipolated between the end of a punch 28' and the punch-operating member 30. The arrangement of the translator unit is such that in the event of the testing device sensing no data in a column of setup membersY 21, indicative of a blank column NP on the record card', one of theY toothed bars 25 willV be operated so that the tape T will receive a single perforation S, Fig. 2, representative of a space signal. The members 24 are restored to their inactive positions by a restoring element 42 common thereto and carried by swinging armsA 43 operated by cams 44 on the shaft 32.

The punch-operating member 30 comprises a sliding block movement of which is eiected by a Geneva driving mechanism indicated generally at 45, Fig. 10, and driven from the shaft 32.

The tape T isfed continuously step by step to the punches 28 by a pin wheel 46, Fig. 10, on a spindle 47 having secured thereto a ratchet wheel 48, Fig. 11, ro-

tions inthe card pass. through the perforations` and those.,

not so aligned-are displaced vertically. Accordingly, thek setgup memberswhichhave not been` vertically displaced represent the data recorded, in the card by the perforationsl formed therein. The timing ofV the card chamber operating mechanism is` such that the chamber retainsy a card` in raised position whilea testing device,described` below, teststthe set-up members column by, column and.

the, chamberis not lowered until the testing4 operation` is completed.

Thev translator unit TU and tape-punching unit TP form nopart of the present invention and there willI be dcscribed below only such functions of these units as are.

ation of which is effected by a feed pawl 49 carried by a pawl-carrying arm 50 pivoted on the spindle 47. A pin 51 on arm 50 extends into a slot 52 in a link 53 which is continuously reciprocatedA by an eccentric 54 on the shaft 32 so. that the pawl 49` rotates the ratchet wheel 48'one-tooth step at each revolution of the shaft 32.

Referring more particularly to Figs. l2 to l5, the testing` device comprises a rst column 55 of sensing elements and a; second column 56 of sensing elements mounted one inv advance of the other in a carriage which includes a pair of end' frames 57, the carriage being movable stepwise along a rack 58, Fig. 12, under control of escapement mechan'ismdescribed below.

Each column 55, S6comprises for each dataindicating position' in a vertical column of` a card a testing pin 59, amember 60'referred to herein as a hatchet pin, and art` actuator 61'. In accordance with the present inventionthe rstcolumn 55` also includes an interrupter elcment consisting ofa testing pin 62,`hatchet pin 63, and an actuator 64, Figs. 14 and 15, the interrupter element forming part of interrupter means which, as described below, effect interruption. of relative movement between the vtesting device and the cardto render the testing device ineffective for atleast one testing cycle thereby to permit the formation of the tape T of the automatic space signals which are not controlled by the sensing of blanlt` columns NP iriaA card. i

' The testing pins 59 and 62 are supported by a vertically reciprocable carrier comprising a bar 65 reciprocablc vertically in' slots formed inthe end frames 57 and plates 66, 61 movable with the bar 65 and the testing pins are urged downwards, asviewedin Figs. 13 and 14, by springs 68, Fig'. 13. The bar 65 is supported by arms 69 pivoted on a spindle 70 mounted in the end frames 57 and to one endof the bar. 653is secureda block` 71, Fig. 14, having a horizontal.' slot in: which isv located. the tongue portion` of a tongued plate 72 carried by a shaft 73 rockable in frame plates 74, Figs. 7A and 16, which support the testing mechanism for sensing the setup members 21.

Reciprocation of the bar 65 is effected from the rear main shaft 34 to which is secured a clutch dog 75, Fig. 16, with which co-operates a clutch pawl 76 carried by a clutch plate 77 freely mounted on the shaft 34. Secured to the clutch plate 77 for movement therewith is an eccentric 78 provided with an eccentric strap 79 the end of which is pivoted on a stud 80 carried by a lever 81 pivoted on a fixed shaft 82. The lever 81 is connected at 83 to a link 84 which is also connected to an arm 85 secured to the shaft 73. Thus when the clutch 75, 76, 77 is operative the link 84 rocks the arm 85 and shaft 73 thereby causing the bar r65 to be reciprocatedl vertically to effect sensing of the set-up members 21. The block 71 is slidable lengthwise of the tongued plate 72 as the carriage 57 is moved along the rack 58 and the shaft 34 is rotated at a speed such that the columns of sensing elements 55, 56 sense the columns of set-up members 21 in succession, the second column 56 sensing a column of set-up members in the sensing cycle next following the cycle during which it was sensed by the rst column 55 of sensing elements. The timing is such that a testing cycle is represented by one revolution of the shaft 34.

The clutch 75, 76 is engaged during the period the carriage is under control of its escapement mechanism but as it takes four cycles of the shaft 34 to return the carriage to its starting position it is necessary to prevent operation of the tongued plate 72 during these four cycles. This is effected by an arm 570, Fig. 16, secured to a shaft 571 rotated through a normally inactive clutch 569, Fig. 7A, which is rendered active by operation of a Bowden wire 572 when the carriage reaches the end of its forward movement. The arm 570 carries a roller 573 engaging a bell-crank 574 pivoted at 575 to a frame 576 and urged by a spring 577 towards the clutch pawl 76. While shaft 571 is stationary roller 573 engages bell-crank 574 and holds it out of the path of pawl 76. On rotation of shaft 571, however, roller 573 disengages bell-crank 574 so that the latter is sprung into the path of pawl 76 and trips the pawl out of engagement with clutch dog 75 thereby interrupting operation of shaft 73 although shaft 34 kcontinues to rotate. When the carriage is restored to the starting position thereof shaft 571 is declutched and roller 573 is again positioned to retain bell-crank 574 in the inactive position thereof.

The hatchet pins 60, 63 are supported by fixed plates 86, 87 and are located in slots formed in the plates and in which they are rockable lengthwise of a shutter 88, Figs. 13 vand 16, supported by straps 89 secured to arms 90 rockable with a rocking shaft 91 mounted in the carriage end plates 57.

The manner of operation of the hatchet pins 60, 63 and shutter 38 is well understood in the art and is as described in British patent specification No. 401,012. In the machine herein described, however, the shaft 91 is rocked by a shutter operating arm 92 secured to the shaft, see Fig. 14, the arm carrying a stud 93 which at predetermined intervals is engaged bya shutter plate 94, Fig. 7A, supported by a shaft 95 rockable in the frame plates 74.

The shaft 95 carries an arm 96, Fig. 17, to which is connected a link 97 operation of which Vis controlled by a cam, not shown, on the rear main shaft 34.

The escapement mechanism by which stepwise movement of the carriage 57 is effected comprises a known form of toothed wheel 99 and pawls 100 and 101 on a rocking shaft 102, a gear wheel, not shown, on the spindle 103 for the toothed wheel being in mesh with lthe rack 58. As is well understood when the pawl 101 is operated the toothed wheel 99 is caused to rotate the wheel 99 one tooth space and the pawl 100 acts as a stop. Operation of the rocking shaft 102 is effected by an escapement operating arm 104 secured thereto and connected to one end'of a curved link 105 the other end of which is connected to a lever 106 pivoted to the carriage at 107 and arranged normally to be under the control of a spring 108. On-downward movement of the bar 65, however, the bar depresses the lever 106 thus through link 105 and arm 104 effecting rocking of the shaft 102 and consequent operation of the escapement to effect a step movement of the carriage. y

From the foregoing it will be understood that the cyclic operation of the bar 65 will tend to elect cyclic operation of the escapement but the present invention provides interrupter means'to prevent such operation on testing predetermined columns of set-up members 21.

As has been explained above although the data sensed from card columns 4 and 5, 37 and 38, 39 and 40 is to be spaced apart on the tape by a space ysignal there are no blank columns NP to ensure the provision of the requisite space signals. In the present machine these signals are initiated by the aforesaid interrupter element consisting of testing pin 62, hatchet pin 63, and actuator 64 forming part of the iirst column 55 of sensing elements. l 1 v Extending between the frame plates 74 and fixed thereto is a rst control means comprising a bar 109, Figs. 8 and 15, and formed therein atpositions aligned respectively with columns 4, 30, 37 and 39 (for the forty column card herein referred to) of the set-up members 21 are slots of which one is indicated at 110, Fig. 15. The depth of the slot is such that the bottomA thereof is disposed at -the height of a set-up member 21 which has not been raised by a card disposed in sensing relation thereto. Thus as the carriage progresses along the rack 58 the testing pin 62 of the interrupter element rides along the top of the bar 109 and is thereby rendered inactive until it reaches one of the slots 110 when it descends intoA the slot and is rendered active. Accordingly, when the pin 62 is rendered active the upward movement of the bar 65 causes thev actuator 64 of the interrupter element to be raised and to rock a latching lever 111 which is freely mounted on a spindle 112. The lever 111 is normally retained in the position shown in Fig. 14 by a spring 113 but on being rocked engages a pin 114 on one arm 115 of a shutter latch the other arm of which is shown at 116, Figs. 14 and 15, and has a latching piece 117 engageable with a nose 118 on the shutter operating arm 92. Thev arm issecured to a spindle 119 rockable in brackets mounted on the carriage end frames 57 and the arm 116 is Yfree on the vspin dle but, by reason of a spring 120 and an-abutment 121 on the arm 115, is movable with the arm 115- i The impulse which operates the leverv111- is only a momentary impulse and a catch 122 is provided to re-V tain the lever 111 in itsoperated position for one sensing cycle. The catch 122 is freely pivoted on the thimble 123 of a Bowden wire 124 which forms no part of` the present invention and is urged towards the latch lever 111 by a spring 125, Fig. 13. A trip element formed by a latch trip bar 126, Figs. 7A, 8, 15 and 17, is arranged cyclically to trip the catch 122 so that under control of the latching lever 111 the shutter latch 115, 116 v can only remain in its latching position for one sensing cycle. The trip `element 126 is supported by a rocking shown in Fig. 14, thehatchet pins- 60,y 63 being heldl as shown in Fig. 13, in positions suchl that they are out l of alignment with the testing pins 59, 62, so that altinuing action of bar 65 no setting is transmitted through the `hatchet -pins. When -the :spindle 119 iis `rocked it operates the Ishutter latch, `as above described, -so that thedatch-is'positioned lin the path ofthe shutter operating arm 92 A'thereby preventing arm 92 from rising. Simultaneously,-an-escapement latch 131, Figs. 12 and l5, secured-to the spindle `-119 is rocked 'thereby 'to engage with an overturned portion 132 on the escapement operating arm "1114 thuspreventing the raising of arm '104 by 'thecurved arm 105 and ensuring that the escapement `is `not operated. Accordingly, for one 'sensing cycle, operation'o'f the 'escapement mechanism is interrupted 'and fthe' testing device 'is' `rendered ineffective undercontrol from the `interrupter Ymeans V62, 63, "64, Y109, 110 and Vthe "interrupter `means is 'rendered ineffective by the fcycliclly opera'ble trip 'element E126. This 'occurs -at each of fthe 'numbers 4, 30, 37 `and 39 column positions as-described above. n

-At1thefcolumn "3l position, "however, 4the record card may lcontain 'a -c'ontrol`hole, as 'at data-indicating position C12, Fig. '5, indicating `that "the escapement and sensing device are to be rendered ineffective for twelve consecutive sensing cycles, or there 4may 'be 'a control hole, as indicated Aat position C24, `Fig. 5, indicating that the escapement and sensingdeviceare to be rendered ine'lective for twenty-four consecutive sensing cycles. In such instances Lthe interrupter means 'operate in `the manner Ajust described A'and the Atrip element'126 also operates `so that it is necessary to Aprovide a delay device, now lto be described, lto retain the arms 115, v116, and consequently the commonsp'indle 119, inthe rocked potion thereof for 'fthe required number of successive sensingcyc'les.

Referring to Figs. '1'2to 14, a U-Shap'ed bracket 133 is pivoted to a'block`134 secured to the top of the c'arriage structure for 'movement therewith, 'the block housing four short rods 135 'arranged side vby Vside in a row for lengthwise movement 'to effect operation of jfour Bowden wires 136 connected one to 'each of the rods. Only two of the rods "1'35 and wires 136 are used for the purposes of the 'present sinvention, 'these being .the 'two inner Aones of lthe row, referred to below as 136-C1-2 and 13G-C24, and the purpose and manner of operation of the other two rods and wires'will not be referred to fherein. To each of the rods 135 is hingedly connected Van interpo'nent 137 extending through `the base of the bracket 153 :so that when the bracket is swung downwards, as viewed in Figs. 12 to 14, the interponents are -tbrought -into `axial alignment 'with the rods 135. Normally, the bracket 133 is 'retained in the positionshown in the drawings by'an abutment 138 extending laterally therefrom and riding yon the top of a 'second control means Acomprising a fixed b'ar 139, Fig. 14, extending lengthwiseof the path `ofthe carriage. When the 'carriage `reaches vthe position 'for testing column 31 the abutment '138, under the action of the spring 113 and on operation of 'the 'latc'hing lever 111, drops into a 'depression for -slot 141 formed "in the bar I139 so that the bracket V133 is moved 'downwards and axially aligns interponcnts 137 with rods 135. A link 142 connects bracket 133 with latching lever 111 through slot 143 and pin 144. When the-abutment 138 is positioned over the depression -141 it is lheld out ofthe depression, against the 'action 'of Vspring '113, 'by the ,pin 1'44 until the latchin'g lever 111 is rocked downwards when, owing 4to the action of spring '113, it follows the lever 111 until it is located at the bottom ofthe depression 141. It will be understood that except when the 'carriage is in `position to "test column 31 the `latching lever 111 is free to be rocked by the actuator 64 of the interrupter element because when A`the abutment 138 is resting on the top 'of the bar the link 142 is in Iits raised 'position 'and the pin 144 is 4movable 'freely in the slot V143.

1f when the testing device is in 'position 'for the testing pins 59 of the rst column of sensing elements to test *column 311, xthe appropriate pins '59 shouldfdetermine -that a 'control fhole C12 or l C24 Ais punchedin the cards, the actuatorlpins -61 eo-operating'with such testing pins wi1l,on the upward movement of bar65, each rock an actuating member 'formedas a bell-crank 145 freely mounted-onthe:spindle-112, to effect axial movement of -oneor-other, or V'both if lthecard has both control holes C12 'an'clCZ-l, of theitwo aforementionedinner rods 135 throug'hengagementof the bell-cranks with the interponents I1'3"/ Aappropriate "thereto,` From the drawing it Vwill be Eunderstood that :except when 'the first column of 'sensing elements is 'positioned to test columns 31the-int'erponents 137 are raisedto a position at which lthe -bell-crank 3l145 'if "operated will pass beneath the lpins and so not Ve'ifect axial movement thereof. Thus, except when testing lcolumn 31 the testing elements of the irst'row are all permitted to perform their normal functions which ,form no tpart of the present invention and will not 'be'described herein.

On axial movement o an interponent 137 by 'its actuatingfmember T45 it rocks a delaycatch 146, pivoted freely at 147, thus disengaging'the catch from an abutment 148 on a delay latch 149 pivoted at 150. When released by -the -delay catch r146 the delay latch 149, under the action of a'spring, not shown, is moved into latching engagement with the .pin 114 on arm 115 and so `prevents the return movement of latches 116, 117 and 131 when the trip element 126 trips the catch 122. Accordingly, the delay :latch 149 will 'retain `the escapement and 'shutter :inetective until the delay latch 149 is released by the operation of a trip 4member formed by a 'Bowden wire 151 as described below.

The number of sensing cycles during which the -delay latch 149 remains eie'ctive is Vdetermined by a space unit, Figs. 7B, 18, 19 and 20.

yThe space unit comprises a base plate A152 supported by shortpillars `153mounted on the-bed of the machine and the base plate supports two side ,plates 154, 155. Also mounted on the `base -plate '152 are two bearing blocks 156, 157 in which a driving shaft -158 is rotatable being driven `from the main shaft 34 through gearing 159, 160, 161 so that .it is continuously rotated.

A worm wheel 162 secured to shaft 158 drives a second Worm wheel 1-63freely `mounted on a `shaft 164 which is-a`fixed shaft -mounted in the side plates 154, 155. The worm wheel '1'63 forms part of a timing device assembly which includes two drums 165, '166 and ratchet wheels 167, 168 the assembly being continuously rotated as a whole 'by the worm wheels v162, 163.

A rst timing disc 1'69 and a second timing disc 170 are freely mounted on shaft 164 -to be co-axial therewith and carry clutch pawls 171, 172 pivoted Arespectively at 173, 174. The clutch pawls are urged towards the ratchet wheels by springs as indicated at 175, Fig. 19, and are normally held out of engagement with the ratchet wheels by clutch release members 176, 177 which are 'freely pivotedon studs 178, 179 secured to the side plates 154, .155 andurged towards the pawls '171, 172 by springs 180, 181Fig. 18.

Brackets 182, 183 are fixed to the `side plates 154, and bell-cranks 184, 1'85 -are pivoted at 186, 187 respectively to the brackets. One varm of each bellcranl: is controlled by a Bowden wire, the bell-crank 184 being controlled lby the wire 136-C12 and bell-crank 185 being controlled by Ithe wire 136-C24, and the other arms of the bell-cranks A'respectively engage studs 188, 189 secured to ythe clutch release member 176, 177. Actuation'of Bowden wire 136-C12 or 136-C24 by its bell-crank 145, Figs. 12 to 14, will cause member 17-6 or 177 respectively to be disengaged from its clutch pawl 171 or 172 so that the ,pawl engages its ratchet wheel 167 or 168 thereby causing the timing disc on which the pawl is vcarried 'to rotate with 'the timing device assembly. The 'clutch fo'rmedby the said assembly, timing discs, and clutch release members is a one revolution clutch as the impulse imparted by a Bowden wire136 C12 or 136-C24 is of short duration thus ensuring that the clutch release member is returned into the path of the released pawl before the latter has completed one revolution with its timing disc.

The ratio of the worm wheels 162, 163 is 30:1 so that one revolution of a timingdisc 169 or 170 is the equivalent of thirty sensing cycles and of thirty punching cycles. ,In the embodimentherein described, however, it is desired by the operation of the spacing unit selectively to obtain punching of either twelve or twenty-four successive space signals. To this end the timing discs 169, 170 respectively carry abutments 190, 191 to cooperate respectively with a first trip arm 192 and a second trip arm 193 both trip arms being secured to a spindle 194. s Also secured tothe spindle 194 is a trip lever 195 which,l when the spindle is rocked,

f actuates the Bowden wire 151 thereby tripping the shutter 196.V A spring 198, Fig. 20, maintains abutting ,relationV between operating arm 196 and abutment 197. The abutment 199 is so'disposed on the timing disc 169 in relation to thearrested position .of pawl 171that when only wire 136-C12 is operated the abutment will operate trip .lever 195, and thereby the wire 151, after an interval equal to twelve sensing v and punchingcycles,k

`If on the other'hand only the wire 13G-C24l should be .operated the abutment 191 on timingfdisc -170` isV Aso disposed in relation to the arrested position of pawl 172 l0 f and shutter so as to obtain either twelve or twenty-four space signals in the tape. It will, however, be understood that by altering the positions of the abutments 190, 191 there may, with the construction described in which the ratio of the worm wheels 162, 163 is 30:1be obtained any ydesired predetermined number of spaces between one and thirty. Further, the range may be increased or decreased by the use of worm wheels'giving a ratio different from that herein described.

It will also be understood that, if desired, the space unit may be modified so as, on operation thereof, to provide only one predetermined number of space signals by the omission of one of the timing devices provided in thespace unit Vor by the provision of means to disable one of the timing devices.

We claim:

l. A machine comprisingthe combination with set-up members controlled by a record card and arranged in columns corresponding to the columns of the record card l continuously operable tape-feeding means to feed the tape stepwise one step for each testing cycle of the machine,

d and space signal means operable under control of the that it will operate trip lever. 195, andthereby the wire 15,1, after an interval equal yto twenty-four sensing and'k punchingy cycles. l o, f y

There will be some occasions when the wiret136-C1'2 and 13G-C24 are operated simultaneously and it is then desired that onlyl the second triparm 193 Vis etective.

Accordingly at such times means mustbe provided to disable the iirst trip arm 192. The disabling means comprises detent arms 199, :200.whichrespectively co-operate with V-notches in the peripheries ofthe timing discs 169, 170, being urged towards theftiming discs by springs 201,

202, Figs. 19 andr'20.. The detent 200for timingV disc is abutted by a stud.203 depending from a belly crank 204 pivoted at 205 to the top of the side plate 155.

Connected to the bell-crank 204 at 206is a disabling linkr 207-, the link 2117 being also connected at 208 to a collar 209 slidable axially along the spindle 194. At itsY free end the link 207 carries a pin 210 which is engaged inv a circumferential groove 211 formed in the boss 212of operating arm 196.

0n simultaneous operation of, wires 136-C12and 136 C24 the timing discs 169 and.170 are' caused simula'. taneously to rotate'and this moves the v*detent arms 1.99-,l

200 about their pivots outwards from the discs. The outward movement of detent arm-260 rocks the'bellcrank V204, 'to the position shown in` Fig.2l, thereby causing the disabling link 207 to ben moved lengthwise -in direction of arrow 213, Figs. 18 and 20. 1 The lengthwise movement of link 207 causesthe operating arm-19610 be moved in the same direction to a position at which it cannot be engaged but the abutment on timingy disc 169. Accordingly trip arm 192 is not-operated vto effect` described as one which is selectively operable to control v interruption` of operation `of the escapement mechanism vtranslator means to record a space signal on the tape,

ofan interrupter pin movable with said testing pins, a stationary control bar extending lengthwise of the path ofthe testing device and co-operating with said interrupter pin normallyto retain it in the ineffective condition thereof, control means on said bar and aligned with lpredetermined testing positions of the testing device to render the interrupter pin effective, means actuated by v the interrupter pin in the effective condition thereof and `co-operating with said escapement mechanism to render saidmechanism ineiective forl one sensing cycle during whichsaid space signal means is efective to control the "recording of a spacesignal on the tape, andv cyclically operablel trip means co-operating withgsaid interrupter being testedby the testing device to render said interrupter pin, irrespective of the action of said trip means, ineffective for' a predetermined number of sensing cycles during each of which said space signal means is effective to control the recording of a space signal on the tape,

' 3. EA machinev comprising set-up members controlled by a statistical record card and arranged in columns corresponding to the columns of the record card to receive v a set-up 'representative of data sensed Vfrom the card, testingelements arranged columnwise to testthe set-up of columns of set-up members, a carriage supporting the testing elements for stepwise movement over the set-up members, operating means to move testing elements relative to the set-up membersl to Veifect testing thereof, a shutter to restore the testing elements to the inactive positions thereof .afte'ra testing operation, escapement mechanism operable by said operating means to eiect stepwise movement of the' carriage, translator means operable under control of the testing elements to receive from the set-up members data sensed from a card and to translate it into coded form', a tape-punching unit operable under control of the translator means to punch in` a tape arecord of the coded data, continuously operable tape-feeding means to feed the tape stepwise one step for vfor each testing cycle of the machine, space signal means 

